Battery Charger Demand Response Using State-of-Charge Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems lack a coordinated approach to reduce power consumption during times of high demand, which can lead to reduced quality or increased cost of power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a charge controller receives state of charge data from multiple battery chargers and demand data from a power source, calculates a charge reduction quantity for each charger, and transmits this quantity to the chargers to reduce power consumption during high demand periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery chargers operate at full power without coordination, then charging speed and productivity are improved, but power consumption and cost increase during high demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The charge controller dynamically adjusts the charging rate of battery chargers based on real-time demand conditions. When high demand is detected, the controller reduces charging rates selectively; when demand is low, charging rates are increased. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the charging system adaptable to varying power conditions rather than operating at fixed full power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of battery chargers based on demand signals. The charge controller receives demand data and modifies charging parameters (such as charging current or power level) to reduce power consumption during high demand periods while maintaining acceptable charging productivity. This parameter adjustment directly addresses the trade-off between charging speed and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If charge reduction is applied to all battery chargers equally, then power consumption is reduced, but charging fairness and battery priority management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The charge controller applies different charge reduction quantities to different battery chargers based on their individual states of charge and priority levels. Rather than uniform reduction, each charger receives a customized adjustment - chargers with lower state of charge or higher priority may receive smaller reductions, while others receive larger reductions. This local differentiation maintains charging fairness while achieving overall power consumption reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the state of charge of each battery and uses this feedback to make informed decisions about charge reduction allocation. The charge controller receives state of charge data from each charger and adjusts reduction quantities accordingly, ensuring that batteries with lower charge levels are not unduly penalized. This feedback mechanism preserves charging fairness while managing power consumption effectively.
3Use of energy by moving object
If demand response management is implemented, then power cost and consumption are reduced, but system complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charge controller serves as an intermediary between the battery chargers and the utility provider's demand response system. It receives demand signals from the utility, processes this information, and coordinates charge reductions across multiple chargers. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the intelligence required for demand response management, rather than requiring complex coordination between individual chargers or direct integration with utility systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An example battery charging system utilizes demand response management to reduce energy consumption during times of high demand. The system includes a plurality of battery chargers and a charge controller in communication with the plurality of battery chargers. The charge controller may be configured to receive, from each of the plurality of battery chargers, a respective state of charge of a battery coupled to the battery charger, receive data indicative of a demand on a power source that provides power to the plurality of battery chargers, calculate a charge reduction quantity for one or more of the battery chargers according to the demand data, the states of charge of the batteries, and/or the prioritizations of batteries to meet operational needs, and transmit the charge reduction quantities to the one or more battery chargers.